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Barca face tricky test on Matchday 15 of La Liga

Xinhua, December 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona face a tricky test on Matchday 15 of the BBVA Primera Liga before flying off to Japan to try and win the World Club Trophy.

   Luis Enrique's side, who are be without the injured Neymar, entertain Deportivo la Coruna, who themselves are enjoying a fine start to the season and currently occupy sixth place in the classification.

   Barca hold a two-point lead over Atletico Madrid and have a four point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the table, so the win would be vital for Luis Enrique's side.

   Claudio Bravo will return in goal along with other regulars such as Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, all of whom were rested for Wednesday night's Champions League tie away to Bayer Leverkusen.

   Deportivo meanwhile will look to striker Lucas Perez, who has been in fine form all season, scoring an impressive 10 goals.

   Fourth place Celta Vigo are also in action on Saturday and take on Espanyol, who are in a comfortable mid-table spot, while there is a relegation battle between an improving Levante and Granada, two sides who nevertheless occupy places in the relegation zone.

   Fernando Llorente will look to build on his match winning goal at home to Juventus in midweek when Sevilla are at home to sporting Gijon. Unai Emery's side earned the right to defend their Europa League title in midweek and now need to climb the league table to compete for a place in the top six.

   Saturday ends with bottom of the table Las Palmas entertaining Betis, whose form on the road is much better than in front of their home fans.

   Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid play in Sunday with Real Madrid facing a difficult trip to fifth placed Villarreal.

   Although Rafa Benitez's side have won all five matches since losing to Barca, including an 8-0 thrashing of Malmo on Tuesday, they have not really had to face any difficult rivals and Villarreal should prove to be a tough test, despite a long injury list which includes full backs Jaume Costa and Mario Gaspar.

   Atletico Madrid are at home to Athletic Club Bilbao, who have midfielder Mikel San Jose suspended for the trip to the capital.

   Atletico have slowly but surely recaptured their form after a slow start to the season as they proved with a 2-1 win away to Benfica on Sunday. Diego Simeone has managed to rejuvenate a side that was in danger of growing stale, once again basing their performances on a solid midfield and defense, with the goals of Antoine Griezmann to help keep them afloat and a win would mean they have the chance to go top of the table by Christmas.

   Other games on Sunday see Rayo Vallecano at home to a poor Malaga in a game both sides need to win, while Gary Neville has to overcome the disappointment of Valencia's Champions League exit as his side face a tricky visit to Eibar in his BBVA Primera Liga debut as coach.  Endi